Tub and shower fitting



July 30 '1935' l.. CONDE Er AL 2,009,651

TUB AND sHowER FITTING l Filed March 29,.l 1934 4 sheets-sheet` 1 July30, 1935. CONDE Er AL 2,009,651

y TUB AND SHOWER FITTING Filed March 29, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 2 July 30,1935. CONDE Er A1.. 2,009,651

TUB AND SHOWER FITTING Filed March 29', 1954 4 sheets-smet '3 July 30,11935. L. CONDE Er AL TUB AND SHOWER FITTING Filed March 29, 1954 4sheets-sheet 4 Patented July 3o, 1935 TUB AND SHOWER FITTING Loie Condand Chester W. Hathaway, Decatur, Ill., assignors to Mueller Co.,Decatur, Ill., a

corporation of Illinois Application March 29, 1934, serial No. 718,049

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to fluid controlling and regulatingdevices and as here shown is disclosed in connection with a combinationbath tub and shower xture. .K

In the drawings herewith, are shown several adaptations of theinvention, but it will be understood that these are merely illustrativeand in no sense restrictive, as the invention may be developed invarious mechanical ways.

Inv the drawings:

Figure l is a view in elevation of so much of a tub and shower xture asis necessary to illustrate my invention, portions of the fixture beingin section to show the interior make-up and assembly.

Figure 2 is a View on an enlarged scale of the valve chamber and valve.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on substantially the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of a tub and shower fixture with amixing valve, having my invention applied thereto. s

Figure 5 is a view in sideelevation, the parts being in section of somuch of a fixture as is necessary to show the regulating or backpressure valve between the shower and tub spout disposed at a differentpoint in the waterway, and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the regulating or backpressure valve between the shower and the tub spout disposed at anotherpoint in the waterway. I Referring to the drawings by numbers, likenumbers referring to like parts in the several views, 4II) indicates anyusual tub fixture having cold and hot water supplies and provided with atub spout Il. Extending upwardly from the fixture I0 and here shown asformed integral and in vertical alignment with the spout outlet is ashower pipe I 2 having a valve chamber. From this valve chamber extendsa pipe leading to the shower.

The spout II will be provided Vat any suitable point with a valve I3adapted to be manipulated to open and close the spout and act, whenclosed, as a diverter to divert water to the valve chamber and showerpipe. As this diverter valve I3 may be of any usual or suitable type,either manually operated or automatic, which will serve to open andclose the spout passage, it is unnecessary to illustrate or describe itin detail.

The shower pipe I2 is provided at any suitable point in its length, witha valve casing I4 having a valve seat I5 against which is seated a backpressure valve I6 provided with a stem I1 passing through a member I8which serves to guide the stem, said member I8 being preferablyscrewthreaded into the inwardly projecting lugs I9 integral with thewall of the valve casing, which lugs are spaced as shown in Figure 2 toprovide water passages 20. Between the member I8 and- 5 the valve I6 isa spring 2l tending to hold the valve always to its seat and this spring2| may be graduated as to strength to meet the different water pressuresencountered in different localities and graduate the opening of thevalve I6` in accordance with these varying pressures. This is readilyaccomplished by determining the pressure in the particular localitywhere the installation is to be made and providing a spring of therequisite strength to take care of such pressures. Depending from thevalve I6 is a sleeve 22 which has a sliding t with the port or passagethrough the web 23. 'Ihe sleeve 22 is provided Awith one'or more waterpassages 24, two being here shown which, when the valve is seated asshown in Figure 1, are closed, but when the valve is xovedV to its upperposition, as shown in Figure 3, are opened to provide waterways into thevalve chamber. Depending from the valve I6 is a sleeve 22 having asliding fit with the port or passage through the web 23. This perforatedsleeve 22 has two functions. It keeps the water substantially shut offuntil the valve has reached its full open position, whereupon water willow through the openings 24 past the valve I6. It has the furtherfunction of substantially shutting off the water on downward movement ofthe valve I6 before the latter reaches its seat, thus acting as apreliminary valve to prevent wire drawing of the valve and hammering. Itwill be seen that the openings 24 are disposed symmetrically relative toeach other, the two openings. here shown being on opposite sides of thesleeve in balanced relation so that there will be no tendency in openingor closing of the valve to lateral movement of the valve. Furthermore,the openings are of a shape, here shown as round, to give a graduallydecreasing area toward their ends, thus providing for a gradual openingand closing of flow through such openings and past the valve.

In thexture described the water coming from the supply faucets willnormally flow through the spout I I, it being understood that thediverter valve I3 in the tub spout will be normally open and the springvalve I6 will be closed, as shown in Figure I, shutting oil?communication to the shower, the valve closing spring 2| being soregulated relative to the water pressure that when the spout II is open,back-pressure coming from the 55 supply will be insufficient to raisethe check valve I6 When it is desired to use the shower the divertervalve I3 will be closed and the pressure of the water at once divertedto the valve I6 lead.- ing to the shower. The closing of the tub spoutand diversion of the water to the shower will, of course, build upsufficient pressure to raise the valve I6 from the closed positionshownin Fig,- ure 1 to the open position shown in Figure 2 and permitthe water to pass to the shower. When the supply is turned off or thediverter valve I3 is again opened, the spring check valve I6 willimmediately close and cut off all communication with theshower pipe.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 4 is identical, so far as thevalve controlling .the shower passage is concerned, with that shown inthe disclosure in Figures 1, 2, and 3, but it is` adapted to tub andshower xtures of the mixing valve type.

In Figure 4, 25 indicates a mixing valve of any suitable or desiredtype, which mixing valve receives hot and cold water supplies from theiinlet pipes 26, conventionally shown, in the usual manner. The pipe 21delivers from the mixing valve to the tu'b spout 28, which is providedwith any desired type of diverter valve 29, either manual or automatic,which will serve to close the tub spout and divert the water to theshower.

From the mixing valve the shower pipe 30 extends upwardly and at anysuitable point in the shower pipe 30, preferably, as herev shown,adjacent the-mixing valve casing is the valve casing 3I containing thevalve 32 identical in all respects with that valve heretofore describedin connection with the adaptation shown in Figures 1 and 2. The sameoperation takes place as described in connection with the otheradaptations. When the diverter valve 29 is open the ow will be to thetub and the valve 32 will be held to its seat and prevent passage ofwater to the shower. On closing of the diverter valve 29, the water willbe diverted against the valve 32 which will be opened and permit thewater to pass to valve chamber 3I and the shower pipe. On cutting offthe water supply or opening of the diverter valve 29, the valve 3| willimmediately return to its seat and close the passage to the shower.

It will be seen that by means of a back pressure y valve in the waterwaynormal flow will be always through the tub spout and the shower pipe andshower will not be subjected to pressure tending to cause dripping atthe shower head, for with the back pressure valve closed and thediverter Avalve in the tub spout open, there can be no pressure in theshower pipe and shower head.

In the adaptation of. the invention shown in Figure 5, the invention isadapted to a concealed fixture located behind the wall indicated by theline 33, tub spout 34, and waterway 35 being provided to which waterwaythe supply inlet 36 delivers, and if hot and cold water be used or amixing valve provided, there will, of course, be two inlets 36 opposedto each other, for the hot and cold water and delivering to the waterway35.

Let into the waterway at a point between the tub spout and the showerconnection 31 is the regulating or back pressure valve 38 identical inconstruction and operation with the valve heretofore described.

In order that access may be had to the valve 38 for repair, replacement,or adjustment, where the fixtures are concealed behind the wall, as

tshown in Figure 5, there is provided an extension 39 projecting, ashere shown, at substantially right angles, to the supply pipes 35 and 31for the tub spout and shower, this extension 39 being provided with aclosure cap 40 at its outer end. It will be observed that the valve 38is disposed at right angles to the -main waterway or supply pipe and isaligned and centered with respect to the extension 39 so that it isreadily accessible by removing the cap 40 and then by suitable tools'the valve 38 may be adjusted or manipulated or bodily removed throughthe extension 39, thus doing away with the necessity of having to workin the confined space behind the wall, or providing a Work opening inthe face of the wall 33, as

In this adaptation of the invention the partsA are concealed behind thewall 4I, tub spout 42 projecting therefrom and receiving its supply fromthe waterway or supply pipe 43 which has the inlet 444, and if hot andcold-water is to be used, two inlets to control these supplies, thewater supply being controlled by suitable faucets, not shown, which willproject through the wall in the usual manner, or if a mixing valve beused, by means of the mixing valve, the handle of which will projectthrough the wall in convenient position for manipulation,A as shown inthe form of the invention disclosed in Figure 4.

'Ihe regulating and backpressure valve 45 is identical in its internalmake-up and operation with the valve heretofore shown and described, andis mounted in a fitting 46 provided with a valve seat, seating spring,and a member to serve as a valve guide, exactly as in the constructionheretofore described. The fitting 46 is provided at its ends withcoupling means designed to be coupled into the shower arm, as shown, andthat coupling means may be any usual desired type, there being hereshown a screw threaded coupling 41. The fitting may be provided with anysuitable means for setting. it up or removing it, as for example, a nutportion 48 may be provided if desired.

With the back pressure valve disposed as shown in Figures 5 and 6, therewill be no pressure exerted in the shower pipe or head when the valve isclosed, which pressure would tend to cause dripping at the shower head,and the supply pipes behind the back pressure valve can, of course,drain downwardly to the tub spout.

Such departures from the constructions here disclosed as amount only tomechanical skill may be made without departing from the range of theinvention.

We claim:-

l. In a combined tub and shower fixture, the combination'of a fluiddelivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member,an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valvecontrolling flow from said tub outlet member, and a normally closedvalve controlling flow in said shower outlet member whichl opens underfluid pressure when said diverter valve' is closed.

2. In a combined tub and shower fixture, the combination of a fluiddelivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member,

an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, amanually-operated diverter valve controlling flow from said tub outletmember, and a normally closed automatically operable valve controllingflow in said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure whensaid manuallyoperated diverter valve is closed.

3. In a combined tub and shower fixture, the combination of a fluiddelivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet member,an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valvein said tub outlet member controlling flow therefrom, and a normallyclosed automatically operable valve in said shower outlet membercontrolling ow thereto which opens under fluid pressure when saiddiverter valve is closed.

4. In a combined tub and shower fixture, the combination of a fluiddelivery member having a tub outlet member and ashower `outlet memberprovided with a valve chamber, anV inlet member to supply said tub andshower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controllingflow therefrom, and a normally closed spring valve in the valve chamberof said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure when saiddiverter valve is closed.

5. In a combined tub and shower xture, the combination of a fluiddelivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet memberprovided with a valve chamber, a diverter valve in-said tub outletmember controlling flow `therefrom, a normally closed spring valve inthe valve chamber of said shower outlet member which opens under fluidpressure when said diverter valve is closed, and means for guiding themovements of said spring valve in said valve chamber.

6. In acombined tub and shower fixture, the combination of a fluiddelivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet memberprovided with a valve chamber, a diverter valve in said tub outletmember controlling flow therefrom, a normally closed spring valve in thevalve chamber of said shower outlet member which opens under fluidpressure when said diverter valve is closed, and means above and belowsaid spring valve for guiding its movements in said valve chamber. l

'7. In a combinedtub and shower fixture, the combination oi a fluiddelivery member having a tub outlet member and a shower outlet memberprovided with a valve chamber, an inlet member to supply said tub andshower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controllingflow therefrom, a normally closed spring valve controlling flow in saidshower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure, when saiddiverter valve is closed, and a hollow port-engaging valveFguidingsleeve projecting from said valve member.

8. In a combined tub and shower xture, the combination of a fluiddelivery member having a tub outlet member, a shower outlet memberprovided with a valve chamber, an inlet member to supply said tub andshower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet membercontrollingflow therefrom, a normally closed spring valve controllingflow in said shower outlet member which opens under fluid pressure whensaid diverter valve is closed, and a hollow port-engaging valve-guidingsleeve provided with apertures to effect gradual reduction of. nowduring closing movement of said valve.

9. In a combined tub and shower xture, the combination of a fluiddelivery member having a. tub outlet member and a shower outlet memberprovided with a. valve chamber, an inlet me ber to supply said tub andshower members, a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controllingow therefrom, a normally closed Valve controlling flow in said showeroutlet member which opens under iluid pressure when said diverter valveis closed, and a tool receiving chamber having a removable closure topermit accessibility to said valve when said closure is removed.

10. In a combined tub and shower fixture adapted to be concealed behinda wall, the combination of a fluid delivery member, a tub outlet memberprojecting through the wall, a shower outlet member projecting throughthe wall and provided with a valve chamber, a tool receiving chambermember extending from said `valve chamber member through the wall topermit accessibility to a valve in said chamber, an inlet member tosupply said tub and shower members,

a diverter valve in said tub outlet member controlling ow therefrom, anda normally closed valve controlling flow from said shower outlet memberwhich opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve is closed.

l1. In a combined tub and shower fixture adapted to be concealed behinda wall, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outletmember and a shower outlet member provided with a valve chamber memberdisposed between said tub and shower outlets at an angle thereto, a toolreceiving chamber member communicating with said valve chamber andprojecting through the wall to permit accessibility to said valve, aninlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve insaid tub outlet controlling flow therefrom, land a normally closed valvein saidA outlet which opens under fluid pressure when said divertervalve is closed.

12. In a combined tubs and shower fixture adapted to be concealed behinda wall, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outletmember and a shower outlet member provided with a valve chamber memberdisposed between said tub and shower outlets at an angle thereto, a toolreceiving chamber member aligned with said valve chamber and projectingthrough the wall to permit accessibility to said valve, an inlet memberto supply said tub and shower members, a diverter valve in said tuboutlet controlling fiow therefrom, and a normally closed valve in saidoutlet which opens under fluid pressure when said diverter valve isclosed.

13. In a combined tub and shower fixture adapted. to be concealed behinda wall, the combination of a fluid delivery member having a tub outletmember and a shower outlet member, a valve chamber member disposedbetweenV said tub outlet and said shower outlet at right angles thereto,a tool receiving. chamber member disposed in line with said valvechamber and projecting through the wall to permit accessibility to saidvalve, an inlet member to supply said tub and shower members, a divertervalve in said tub outlet controlling flow therefrom, and a normallylclosed valve in said outlet which opens under fluid'pressure when saiddiverter valve is closed.

LoIE coND. CHESTER w. HA'IHAWAY.

